Breaking Ground on MU’s First On-Campus Athletic Field

After years of dreaming, planning, and fund-raising, Multnomah University celebrated breaking ground on its on-campus outdoor athletic field on November 8, 2021. Rare November sunshine beamed down on the joyous occasion as generations of Multnomah faculty, staff, and students gathered in front of the field to cheer on the ceremonial turning of the dirt. Behind them, four freshly planted stakes pin-pointed the future corners of the field and the exciting promise of progress.

During the ceremony, President Williford, Board Member Dr. Ben Ochs, and Student Body President Jenna Burnell spoke to the deeper significance of adding an athletic field to Multnomah’s cozy campus. This purpose can be summarized in two words, Christian community. For MU’s soccer and lacrosse programs, an on-campus field means a permanent home where fans and players can unite in the heart of campus. It will also operate as a home for intramural sports, recreation activities, and other important social events such as Lion Bowl. As President Williford shared, “I think of this field, not as a merely a field, but as a place for community, a place for leadership development as our coaches teach our athletes how to be dedicated followers of Christ and mature adults who happen to very good athletes.”

Perhaps the most groundbreaking part of MU’s new athletic fields is that it is only a taste of all God has in store for Multnomah University in the coming years. Though the athletic field is an impressive $1.3 million project, it is only a portion of the completed $20.7 million As God Leads Campaign funded by the generosity of alumni, parents, and friends of the university. Donations from the campaign will also go towards student scholarships, new science labs, and a strategic innovation fund targeted at enhancing student outcomes.

To learn more about this exciting project and the As God Leads Campaign visit multnomah.edu/athletic-field-livestream.